AGENDA Talk about the 13 signposts and what you value most Why do we need law? Lecture Homework: none

WHY DO WE NEED LAW?

What happens in the absence of law? Law in Saudi Arabia – cut off your hand if you steal. Does human right supercede crime? What is the goal of that society? Singapore and spitting and chewing gum and you are flogged. What does that tell us about that society? To keep society pretty.

Laws are good things Laws show us values and what the society deems important Laws against murder show us murder is morally wrong and that life is valued* When is this law not enforced? The opportunity for free education through high school shows we value universal education Law in Saudi Arabia – cut off your hand if you steal. Does human right supercede crime? What is the goal of that society? Singapore and spitting and chewing gum and you are flogged. What does that tell us about that society? To keep society pretty. Munich – rule followers. Nazism! Waiting at traffic lights. In berlin, not so much. Who makes the laws? The people. Bill of Rights – we value freedom of thought and speech. *self-defense or war

What do these laws tell us about the society they’re from? In Singapore: you cannot chew gum (or import chewing gum), outside of nicotine gum. In Denmark: there are 7,000 approved names you can name your child. You cannot name your child something not on that list. In Switzerland: you cannot hike naked in the Alps. In Venice, Italy: You cannot feed the pigeons.

Laws are good things Laws change over time Example? When is it okay to break a law? Is it ever? Civil rights. That’s why we have amendments. Monopolies and trust-busting. Prohibition.

Why is democracy good? People get to make laws

Why is democracy bad? People who make the laws aren’t always representative of the majority

- a country in which power is held by elected representatives DEFINING DEMOCRACY - the belief in freedom and equality between people, or a system of government based on this belief, in which power is either held by elected representatives or directly by the people themselves - a country in which power is held by elected representatives

Elements of a Democracy Control over governmental decisions is given to elected officials In authoritarian systems, unelected officials make decisions, or elected officials can be overruled by an unaccountable body. What does authoritarian mean? Example? Why would an authoritarian govt be bad in that case?

Elements of a Democracy Elections are frequent and fair. In some democracies, there is not a regular election cycle, but officials must call for elections within a certain number of years. A country is not a democracy just because it holds elections… Canada. Example of countries that are ‘democracies’ that aren’t? Kenya! They just had their election. Also Russia.

Elements of a Democracy Almost all adults have the right to vote. Almost all adults have the right to run for office. Who doesn’t? People who are convicted felons, people under 18, people who aren’t citizens. Qualifications for running for office: have to be a citizen, resided in the state for certain amount of time, certain age limits (18, 21, 25, 26, 35, etc…)

2008: 58.2% voter turnout 2012: 54.9% voter turnout In this election, 54.7% voter turnout. In 2012, 54.9%, 58.2% was 2008. Last time it was over 60% was in 1968. VAP = voting age percentage

Elements of a Democracy Individuals have the right to express their opinions without fear of government reprisal (act of retaliation) Example? Individuals must have access to sources of information that are not controlled or censored by the government Why is this a good thing? We can talk about Cuba, Enlightenment, French Revolution, etc…

Elements of a Democracy Individuals have the right to form independent (not government-sponsored) associations, like political parties and interest groups. Civil society (lively groups outside of government control) is important in a democracy Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) serve social and political purposes Focused on helping humanity – Greenpeace, helping the homeless, WWF, etc Why are these important? NGOs have been working with the migrant crisis in Europe

Points to Ponder Democracy is not necessarily more efficient in getting things done. Why? Democracies are not necessarily more orderly, stable, or governable. Why might an authoritarian state be more orderly than a democratic state?

Points to Ponder Don’t mix government systems with economic systems Capitalism ≠ democracy

Exit ticket Look back over your 13 signposts. Choose three of them you want to research more. You will be writing an essay next week – “to what extent is the US a democracy?” – and you will focus in on at least three of those.